Easter festivities around the world

April 2, 2013 12:31 AM

Photo: Domenico Stinellis/Associated Press

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Rev. Mark Twietmeyer, of Trinity Lutheran Church of Boulder, Colo., delivers his Easter sermon as the sun rises on Sunday, March 31, 2013. Boulder churches, Trinity Lutheran and Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran, celebrated Easter morning with their annual Easter Sunrise Service at the Boulder Reservoir. (AP Photo/Daily Camera, Cliff Grassmick) less

Rev. Mark Twietmeyer, of Trinity Lutheran Church of Boulder, Colo., delivers his Easter sermon as the sun rises on Sunday, March 31, 2013. Boulder churches, Trinity Lutheran and Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran, ... more

Christian worshippers light candles during the Sunday Easter mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, traditionally believed to be the site of the crucifixion of Christ, in Jerusalem's Old City, Sunday, March 31, 2013. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner) less

Christian worshippers light candles during the Sunday Easter mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, traditionally believed to be the site of the crucifixion of Christ, in Jerusalem's Old City, Sunday, March ... more

A Christian woman holds a candle at the Anointing Stone during the Sunday Easter mass inside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, traditionally believed to be the site of the crucifixion of Christ, in Jerusalem's Old City, Sunday, March 31, 2013. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner) less

A Christian woman holds a candle at the Anointing Stone during the Sunday Easter mass inside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, traditionally believed to be the site of the crucifixion of Christ, in Jerusalem's ... more

Photo: Sebastian Scheiner, Associated Press

A Christian woman holds a candle at the Anointing Stone during the... Photo-4404194.59478 - GreenwichTime

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A Christian woman holds a candle during the Sunday Easter mass as she enters the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, traditionally believed to be the site of the crucifixion of Christ, in Jerusalem's Old City, Sunday, March 31, 2013. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner) less

A Christian woman holds a candle during the Sunday Easter mass as she enters the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, traditionally believed to be the site of the crucifixion of Christ, in Jerusalem's Old City, ... more

Faithful follow a solemn Mass celebrated by Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Sunday, March 31, 2013. Pope Francis celebrated his first Easter Sunday Mass as pontiff in St. Peter's Square, packed by joyous pilgrims, tourists and Romans and bedecked by spring flowers. Wearing cream-colored vestments, Francis strode onto the esplanade in front of St. Peter's Basilica and took his place at an altar set up under a white canopy. (AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis) less

Faithful follow a solemn Mass celebrated by Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Sunday, March 31, 2013. Pope Francis celebrated his first Easter Sunday Mass as pontiff in St. Peter's Square, ... more

Nuns walk during the Sunday Easter mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, traditionally believed to be the site of the crucifixion of Christ, in Jerusalem's Old City, Sunday, March 31, 2013. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner) less

Nuns walk during the Sunday Easter mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, traditionally believed to be the site of the crucifixion of Christ, in Jerusalem's Old City, Sunday, March 31, 2013. (AP ... more

Photo: Sebastian Scheiner, Associated Press

Nuns walk during the Sunday Easter mass at the Church of the Holy... Photo-4404191.59478 - GreenwichTime

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Brandon McHale and Becky McNulty, of Ambler. Pa., sit on the beach and wait for sunrise on Easter morning in Ocean City, N.J., Sunday, March 31, 2013. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

Brandon McHale and Becky McNulty, of Ambler. Pa., sit on the beach and wait for sunrise on Easter morning in Ocean City, N.J., Sunday, March 31, 2013. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - MARCH 31: Congregants pray during Easter services at Regina Mundi Catholic Church in the Soweto area March 31, 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa. A central gathering place during he anti-apartheid struggle, the church held prayers for former South African President Nelson Mandela, 94, who is in the hospital for the third time since December with lung problems. Referring to Mandela by clan name, Madiba, President Jacob Zuma said, "We appeal to the people of South Africa and the world to pray for our beloved Madiba and his family and to keep them in their thoughts." Mandela's lungs were damaged when he contracted tuberculosis during his 27 years in the infamous Robben Island prison. Mandela became the nation's first democratically elected president in 1994 following the end of apartheid. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) less

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - MARCH 31: Congregants pray during Easter services at Regina Mundi Catholic Church in the Soweto area March 31, 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa. A central gathering place during ... more

A giant 5-meter tall figure representing Judas burns in the atrium of the Santa Rosa Xochiac church, in Mexico City, Sunday, March 31, 2013. The Burning of Judas is an Easter ritual in many communities, where an effigy of Judas Iscariot is hung on Good Friday, then burned on Easter Sunday. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte) less

A giant 5-meter tall figure representing Judas burns in the atrium of the Santa Rosa Xochiac church, in Mexico City, Sunday, March 31, 2013. The Burning of Judas is an Easter ritual in many communities, where ... more

Indian Christians light candles and pray beside the graves of their dear ones early morning as they observe Easter in Purulia, about 350 kilometers (220 miles) west of Kolkata, India, Sunday, March 31, 2013. (AP Photo/Bikas Das) less

Indian Christians light candles and pray beside the graves of their dear ones early morning as they observe Easter in Purulia, about 350 kilometers (220 miles) west of Kolkata, India, Sunday, March 31, 2013. ... more

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - MARCH 31: Father Sebastian Rossouw O.M.I. sprinkes holy water on congregants during Easter services at Regina Mundi Catholic Church in the Soweto area March 31, 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa. A central gathering place during he anti-apartheid struggle, the church held prayers for former South African President Nelson Mandela, 94, who is in the hospital for the third time since December with lung problems. Referring to Mandela by his clan name, Madiba, President Jacob Zuma said, 'We appeal to the people of South Africa and the world to pray for our beloved Madiba and his family and to keep them in their thoughts'. Mandela's lungs were damaged when he contracted tuberculosis during his 27 years in the infamous Robben Island prison. He later became the nation's first democratically elected president in 1994 following the end of apartheid. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) *** BESTPIX *** less

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - MARCH 31: Father Sebastian Rossouw O.M.I. sprinkes holy water on congregants during Easter services at Regina Mundi Catholic Church in the Soweto area March 31, 2013 in ... more

Celia de La Vega, 7, secured by a harness, is transported in the air, during the Easter Sunday ceremony ''Descent of the Angel'', during Holy Week in the small town of Tudela, northern Spain, Sunday, March 31, 2013. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos) less

Celia de La Vega, 7, secured by a harness, is transported in the air, during the Easter Sunday ceremony ''Descent of the Angel'', during Holy Week in the small town of Tudela, northern Spain, Sunday, March 31, ... more

Photo: Alvaro Barrientos, Associated Press

Celia de La Vega, 7, secured by a harness, is transported in the... Photo-4404179.59478 - GreenwichTime

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An altar boy prepares coal to fire the incense in the Easter Sunday Mass at the Cathedral of Managua, on March 31, 2013. AFP PHOTO/Hector RETAMALHECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images

An altar boy prepares coal to fire the incense in the Easter Sunday Mass at the Cathedral of Managua, on March 31, 2013. AFP PHOTO/Hector RETAMALHECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images

Photo: Hector Retamal, AFP/Getty Images

An altar boy prepares coal to fire the incense in the Easter Sunday... Photo-4404182.59478 - GreenwichTime

Russian Catholics hold candles during an Easter vigil on Holy Saturday at the Cathedral of Virgin Mary Immaculate Conception in Moscow on March 30, 2013. Easter Vigil, also called the Paschal Vigil, is a service held in traditional Christian churches as the first official celebration of the resurrection of Jesus. While most Russians will mark Orthodox Easter on May 5, according to the old Julian calendar, Easter in the West is celebrated on March 30 by Russia's 600,000-strong Roman Catholic community. AFP PHOTO / ANDREY SMIRNOVANDREY SMIRNOV/AFP/Getty Images less

Russian Catholics hold candles during an Easter vigil on Holy Saturday at the Cathedral of Virgin Mary Immaculate Conception in Moscow on March 30, 2013. Easter Vigil, also called the Paschal Vigil, is a ... more

A girl looks through binoculars to follow the Easter Sunday Mass celebrated by Pope Francis, not shown, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, March 31, 2013. Pope Francis celebrated his first Easter Sunday Mass as pontiff in St. Peter's Square, packed by joyous pilgrims, tourists and Romans and bedecked by spring flowers.Wearing cream-colored vestments, Francis strode onto the esplanade in front of St. Peter's Basilica and took his place at an altar set up under a white canopy. (AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis) less

A girl looks through binoculars to follow the Easter Sunday Mass celebrated by Pope Francis, not shown, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, March 31, 2013. Pope Francis celebrated his first Easter ... more

Pope Francis waves to faithful at the end of the Easter mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, March 31, 2013. Pope Francis made an Easter Sunday peace plea, saying conflicts have lasted too long in Syria, and between Israelis and Palestinians. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) less

Pope Francis waves to faithful at the end of the Easter mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, March 31, 2013. Pope Francis made an Easter Sunday peace plea, saying conflicts have lasted too long in ... more

Photo: Gregorio Borgia, Associated Press

Pope Francis waves to faithful at the end of the Easter mass in St.... Photo-4404177.59478 - GreenwichTime

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Pope Francis kisses a baby after celebrating his first Easter Mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, March 31, 2013. Pope Francis celebrated his first Easter Sunday Mass as pontiff in St. Peter's Square, packed by joyous pilgrims, tourists and Romans and bedecked by spring flowers. Wearing cream-colored vestments, Francis strode onto the esplanade in front of St. Peter's Basilica and took his place at an altar set up under a white canopy. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) less

Pope Francis kisses a baby after celebrating his first Easter Mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, March 31, 2013. Pope Francis celebrated his first Easter Sunday Mass as pontiff in St. Peter's ... more

In this photo provided by the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, Pope Francis delivers the Urbi et Orbi (to the city and to the world) blessing, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, March 31, 2013. Pope Francis celebrated his first Easter Sunday Mass as pontiff in St. Peter's Square, packed by joyous pilgrims, tourists and Romans and bedecked by spring flowers.Wearing cream-colored vestments, Francis strode onto the esplanade in front of St. Peter's Basilica and took his place at an altar set up under a white canopy. (AP Photo/L'Osservatore Romano) less

In this photo provided by the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, Pope Francis delivers the Urbi et Orbi (to the city and to the world) blessing, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, March 31, ... more

Photo: Associated Press

In this photo provided by the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore... Photo-4404173.59478 - GreenwichTime

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Pakistani Christian girls, display their hands decorated with Bangles and painted with Henna paste as they celebrate Easter holiday following a mass at in a Christian neighborhood in Islamabad, Pakistan, Sunday, March 31, 2013. Pakistan's Christians, are celebrating Easter along with other Christian nations. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen) less

Pakistani Christian girls, display their hands decorated with Bangles and painted with Henna paste as they celebrate Easter holiday following a mass at in a Christian neighborhood in Islamabad, Pakistan, ... more

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - MARCH 31: Former South African President Nelson Mandela and the struggle against apartheid are depicted in a stained glass window as congregants pray during Easter services at Regina Mundi Catholic Church in the Soweto area March 31, 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa. A central gathering place during he anti-apartheid struggle, the church held prayers for former South African President Nelson Mandela, 94, who is in the hospital for the third time since December with lung problems. Referring to Mandela by clan name, Madiba, President Jacob Zuma said, "We appeal to the people of South Africa and the world to pray for our beloved Madiba and his family and to keep them in their thoughts." Mandela's lungs were damaged when he contracted tuberculosis during his 27 years in the infamous Robben Island prison. Mandela became the nation's first democratically elected president in 1994 following the end of apartheid. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) less

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - MARCH 31: Former South African President Nelson Mandela and the struggle against apartheid are depicted in a stained glass window as congregants pray during Easter services at ... more

Photo: Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - MARCH 31: Former South African... Photo-4404175.59478 - GreenwichTime

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VATICAN CITY, VATICAN - MARCH 31: Pope Francis holds a disabled child as he greets the faithful prior to his first 'Urbi et Orbi' blessing from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica during Easter Mass on March 31, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican. Pope Francis delivered his message to the gathered faithful from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica in St. Peter's Square after his first Holy week as Pontiff. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) less

VATICAN CITY, VATICAN - MARCH 31: Pope Francis holds a disabled child as he greets the faithful prior to his first 'Urbi et Orbi' blessing from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica during Easter Mass on March ... more